weezie

To crazyquilter. I have 3 Janome machines: one is a workhorse (computerized) that I have used for many years; one is a high speed straight stitch for my quilt frame and I've not used it much yet, so the jury is still out on that one; and the other is an 11000. The 11000 has been to the dealer's shop for computer upgrades and a couple of computer glitches. That's inconvenient because the machine is very heavy, but the adjustments and upgrades were done promptly while I waited and the shop is not very far from my home. Computer glitches aside, it sews and embroiders excellently. Any goof-ups have been operator errors.

Did you buy your 350E from an authorized dealer so that you have a valid 25-year warranty? According to the warranty, if you have a "lemon" they will replace it with a new machine (same model or as close as possible). If you purchased from a cooperative and helpful dealer, he/she should be helping you to do this. It doesn't seem as though you're getting any help or cooperation.

Skeat

crazyquilter, Yes, my mom's machine is going every day. She is on that machine at least 5hrs each day...you can't even talk to her in the phone w/o thinking the sound in the background is from her!:0)I did tell her of your stress and she asked if you have been on the yahoo group w/that machine. For they are there and a huge help if someone is needing it. Maybe you can get a good direction from them. Again, so sorry for your stressful experience....here, everyone we know has a jonome and here they love all of theirs. I personally don't have the embrod.machine but, do have the jonome 3200, and the 6600....both have been great work horses for me. The 3200, even as small and simple as it is has been used not only to piece but, to quilt my quilts. And, it still is going strong and is even my class machine and loaner. For those that want to try a jonome to see if they like it, etc. It right now is about 15miles from my house on someone else's dinning room table:0). Just don't give up! If for some reason something isn't right and you feel like a cat chasing it's tail...regroup and step out of your area! There are just too many people totally satisfied w/their machines for all of them to be poop...and for you to have a problem and no answers, then something is wrong somewhere. It is understanding how you feel to vent that it's a janome thing, but, I think it's not 'them'.
And, if these people that sold you the jonome are supp. to be their authorized dealers and they are not helping you solve this problem...then they should't be a dealer and if I were janome....I know I'd want to know! Good luck! We are keeping our fingers crossed for you! Skeat

Mousie

Skeat wrote:
.....And, if these people that sold you the jonome are supp. to be their authorized dealers and they are not helping you solve this problem...then they should't be a dealer and if I were janome....I know I'd want to know! Good luck! We are keeping our fingers crossed for you! Skeat

crazyquilter, not to barrage you with our loyalty to Janome, or their services, but I do hope you will consider that this is either a "fluke" machine, or possibly the dealer.
One other thing, please do not be offended by what i am about to say: (not saying this is the problem at all, just adding it, bc I have seen first hand): I have a family member that gets easily frustrated and "blows up" on ppl at the first sign of what she considers even a 'mere' slight. She cannot understand why ppl just walk away and she gets no help at all.
You have described trying to get help in many different ways. My comment is not to suggest that it is you, not at all, just that you will feel better, when you do get help, if you have not let this experience, sour you to the 'helper'. Flies to honey and all that :) ...
When I bought my first machine, i looked at it online first, checked it out there, then went to my dealer. Then I told him what I wanted and checked that machine out, while checking him out also. He was very helpful and courteous etc.
A good first time experience with my dealer and my machine, led to the same way of going about getting my second machine.
Although I can't say my dealer is fast, he is very busy. He is the only dealer here within many miles, and he sells more than machines. I did make sure he is certified with the Janomes though.
I guess I am for the underdog and want to help you solve this problem, as I know how good most of the Janome ppl are. This is the very first case like this that I know of. I would love to hear you have a success.
take care. :)

marty_mo

crazyquilter ~ sorry to hear about your Janome whoas! My first "real machine" was a Pfaff...I absolutely love the machine and it too is a work horse in for the long haul. I never expected to venture beyond the Pfaff models. However I had the opportunity to purchase a Singer Futura and I was ready to toss the baby out the window...I could not get it to work right. I finally followed the directions step by tedious step and few self lessons later and some assistance from a Yahoo group I realized my problems were just that my problems and not related to the machine. Once I realized that it was the user error the Singer was a fine machine and provided me with a couple years of great designs. In January of this year I upgraded to a Janome 350e and I find it to be a great machine. I too had problems with my first design in knowing which color to use next...watch the front display and the area that is the darkest is the area that you are about to stitch. The other problem I had that I assumed was tension related because it was pulling up to much bobbin thread was actually related to using the wrong type of stablizer. After getting the stabilizer straightened out I was off and stitching. Do you belong to any Yahoo groups? If not I would suggest joining any group related to Janome. The groups have been a wealth of assistance with my machines. I am sure that there are lemons out there regardless of the product or brands but overall I think Janome produces a great product. Oh by the way...I also have a 6600 on my quilt frame. Good Luck!!!!!

crazyquilter

I guess I should explain a little more about my Janome problem... I bought the 350e from a Janome dealer about 90 miles from here, because he offered the best price I found on the machine and the MB4 digitizing software. That was in October of 2007. It has only been within the past 4 or 5 months that I have been having the tension problem. I was very well satisfied with it up until that time. As time went on, the tension just seemed to need to be decreased more and more until I had to have it down to "0" to get a decent stitch, and then there was still some pulling up of the bobbin thread. (I am very picky about having tensions correct! obviously!! :twisted: Since it is a miserable winter here in PA, and I have a terrible intolerance for cold weather, I haven't been to the dealer where I bought the machine. Speaking with him on the phone was not very helpful; he said I probably needed to take the bobbin assembly out and clean it... which of course I had already done. When I spoke to a dealer who is much closer, about 20 miles away, his first question was, "Did you buy it here?" and things went down hill from there. That really wasn't the response I was looking for. I asked if I brought it in for service if he would look at it the same day if I made an appointment for that particular day, so as not to have to make 2 trips. He was not willing to do that and I'm still wondering why. Obviously his own customers come first, and I can understand that, but my old money should be as good as the next one when it comes to repair, or so I thought. So maybe I have more of an issue with the repair people. Just sort of feel like once you buy it, you've bought it and good luck, Charlie! One of my friends traded her 350e in for an MB4 within a year so she got full credit for what she had paid for it. She had encountered the same problem as I, it worked great when she first got it, but gradually developed the same tension mess up. She got about the same response as I did; no real resolution to the problem, and she did take hers to the dealer where she purchased it. We both use our machines a lot. I am retired and sewing is what I do most of each day. There is a boutique out of state that sells almost everything I send them, and I send them quite a bit. When I am embroidering, I am usually running my sewing machine at the same time. That is when I am taking a break from the quilting machine. So I suppose if it came right down to it, it would almost be commercial usage and would void any normally applicable warranty. Who knows? In the meantime, I have tightened the bobbin tension as tight as I can get it, and that has seemed to help some. I use Madeira bobbin thread and their 40 wt. poly neon embroidery thread, Schmetz embroidery needles, Floriana stabilizers ( fusible, tearaway, water soluble toppers, melt away toppers, etc.) so that's not a problem. I just feel that as the 350e gets some age on it, that's when problems develop. Mine probably has what would amount to at least 5 or 6 years for most people, because I do sell what I sew. Thanks to all who have been supportive of me, and to a couple of people who mentioned a Yahoo group, I would be interested if they would care to tell me how to connect with one. Maybe I will write a book next post! :lol:

judy_68

I buy the big rolls of 100% cotton thread at Joannes when its on sale for 50% off. I don't have any trouble using it. I sew with old Singer sewing machines.
Judy in Ohio

BellaBoo

Bobbin thread tension is usually a top thread problem. I wonder that the upper tension disc may have gotten a groove in it from the thread cutting into it at fast speed. Just a guess. have you tired using this? It helps keep with the friction when thread goes through the disc. I use it even on my computerized machine. I've never had a problem and the repairman said it was the same lubricant that is embedded in the do not oil machines.

http://columbiariverquilting.com/sewers_aid.html

Skeat

go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MCEmbr...ec=group&slk=1

marty_mo

This is the main page for Yahoo Groups, type Janome in the search box and it will pull up several options. Most groups I have found require signing up for membership; there is no charge for membership.

Thanks for the clarification. I wondered if it was a newbie issue but after the hours you have put in definitely not a newbie issue. :lol: Sounds like you have worn that baby out. :roll: On the serious side...would switching out the bobbin casing help? I don't have as many hours on my machine as you apparently do, does the casing eventually need replacing, could the tension screw be stripped??? Just making some guesses here. Again ~ good luck.

weezie

Hi again crazyquilter. I think an expensive machine should not poop out after just a few years regardless of amount of usage it gets. Having said that, I just want to share with you what my local dealer (Husqvarna, Janome, Bernina) said when I was looking to upgrade from my well-used and well-loved Janome MC6000 (which I'd bought, previously owned, many years before). As I looked at his stock of new and used machines, he opined that a machine that is strictly bought for hobby/home use will not hold up to constant use, as in a commercial use sense. We did not delve into what type(s) of machine(s) he would recommend for really heavy use, however, but obviously Janome 350E is not one of them. I think you've worn some part or parts in it down to "last gasp". It does seem to me that it could have parts replaced since it's a model they still manufacture.

The dealer who is 20 miles from you and obviously reluctant to help you must not consider that he might be losing a future customer looking to buy a new machine. If I were a sewing machine dealer, I would be very accommodating to people who sew.